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Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Summary

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare pediatric form of blood cancer. JMML predominately affects young children, most often developing in children under the age of 4. The male/female ratio of affected children is 2-3:1.The disorder is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of an immature form of a specific type of white blood cell known as monocyte precursors. These abnormal cells accumulate in the bone marrow crowding out other healthy cells. The bone marrow produces specialized cells (hematopoietic stem cells) that grow and eventually develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. These cells are released into the bloodstream to travel throughout the body and perform specific functions. Red blood cells deliver oxygen to the body; white blood cells help the body to fight infection; and platelets allow the body to form clots to stop bleeding. When abnormal cells accumulate in the bone marrow, they can affect the production and function of these healthy blood cells. Abnormal cells can accumulate in other tissues and organs of the body such as the lungs, skin, liver, and intestines. JMML is an aggressive and difficult to treat disease. Currently, the main therapeutic option is allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The exact, underlying cause of JMML is unknown.

Introduction

Over the years, several different classification systems have been used to define JMML. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies JMML as an overlap myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative disorder because JMML shares characteristics with both of these groups of disorders. Myelodysplastic syndromes are defined as a group of disorders that are characterized by disordered development of blood cells in the bone marrow. Myeloproliferative disorders are defined as a group of disorders characterized by the overproduction (proliferation) of the three main blood cell lines, red or white blood cells or platelets. The first case of JMML was described in the medical literature in 1924.

Supporting Organizations

American Cancer Society, Inc.

250 Williams NW St

Ste 6000

Atlanta, GA 30303

USA

Tel: (404)320-3333

Tel: (800)227-2345

Website: http://www.cancer.org

Children's Leukemia Research Association

585 Stewart Avenue, Suite 18

Garden City, NY 11530

Tel: (516)222-1944

Fax: (516)222-0457

Email: info@childrensleukemia.org

Website: http://www.childrensleukemia.org

Children's Tumor Foundation

120 Wall Street

16th Floor

New York, NY 10005

Tel: (212) 344-6633

Fax: (212)747-0004

Tel: (800)323-7938

Email: info@ctf.org

Website: http://www.ctf.org/

JMML Foundation

Website: http://thejmmlfoundation.wildapricot.org/

Leukemia &#038; Lymphoma Society

1311 Mamaroneck Avenue

Suite 310

White Plains, NY 10605

Tel: (914)949-5213

Fax: (914)949-6691

Tel: (800)955-4572

Email: infocenter@LLS.org

Website: http://www.LLS.org

National Bone Marrow Transplant Link

20411 W. 12 Mile Rd

Suite 108

Southfield, MI 48076

Tel: (248)358-1886

Fax: (248)358-1889

Tel: (800)546-5268

Email: info@nbmtlink.org

Website: http://www.nbmtlink.org

OncoLink: The University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center Resource

3400 Spruce Street

2 Donner

Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283

USA

Tel: (215)349-8895

Fax: (215)349-5445

Email: hampshire@uphs.upenn.edu

Website: http://www.oncolink.upenn.edu

Rare Cancer Alliance

1649 North Pacana Way

Green Valley, AZ 85614

USA

Website: http://www.rare-cancer.org

World Health Organization (WHO)

Avenue Appia 20

Geneva 27, 1211

Switzerland

Tel: 41227912111

Fax: 41227913111

Website: http://www.who.int/en/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 5/8/2013Copyright 2013 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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